Splint assembly

ABSTRACT

A splint assembly for emergency treatment of patient fractures. The splint assembly includes two planar, rectangularly shaped members constructed of a suitable structurally rigid material. The planar members include respective arcuate through slots of identical dimensions. In operation, the members are placed in an overlapping position to receive a pair of carriage bolts passing through the arcuate slots. The members may be angularly oriented with respect to each other and locked in place by tightening the bolts. Recesses are also provided on opposing sides of the planar members to permit securement of straps or bandages. Additionally, the splint assembly may be provided to the user in a kit which includes a multiplicity of different sized planar members for use in a wide range of size configurations.

United States Patent [1 1 Gledhill [451 July17, 1973 i 1 SPLINT ASSEMBLY Walter O. Gledhill, 512 Norwood Avenue, Warminster, Pa.

[22] Filed: May 28, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 148,091

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 128/88 Primary Examiner-*Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney-Paul Maleson [57] ABSTRACT A splint assembly for emergency treatment of patient fractures. The splint assembly includes two planar, rectangularly shaped members constructed of a suitable structurally rigid material. The planar members include respective arcuate through slots of identical dimensions. In operation, the members are placed in an overlapping position to receive a pair of carriage bolts passing through the arcuate slots. The members may be angularly oriented with respect to each other and locked in place by tightening the bolts. Recesses are also provided on opposing sides of the planar members to permit securement of straps or bandages. Additionally, the splint assembly may be provided to the user in a kit which includes a multiplicity of different sized planar members for use in a wide range of size configuratrons.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENIEQJUH 1191s INVENTOR WALTER 0. GLEDH/LL, SR.

ATTORNEYS FIG. 4

SPLINT ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of surgical instruments. In particular, this invention pertains to the field of restraining the movement of limbs that may be fractured. More in particular, this invention relates to the field of surgical splints. Of further particularity, this invention pertains to the field of easily maneuverable, simply fastened split assemblies useful for emergency treatment of limb fractures.

2. Description of the Prior Art Splint assemblies showing overlapping members that are angularly as well as lineraly adjustable are known in the art. Some of the prior art however, provide overlapping planar members each of which have a plurality of linear slots. In these cases, it is necessary to bolt the planar members together through individual slots. The securement of the members in a particular position is cumbersome, and of significant importance, greatly time consuming. It is also important to realize that the linear slots increase the difficulty in angularly positioning the planar members in an overlapping, contiguous and predetermined position defined by the fractured limb.

In some of the prior split assemblies, one of the overlapping members includes a linear slot whereas the other member shows an intersecting curvilinear slot. In these splits the angular orientation of one planar member with respect to the other is seriously hampered when time is a critical factor. In additionthese assemblies are not easilyadjustable in a longitudinal manner and therefore cause inordinate extensions of one overlapping memberwith respect to the other.

Other prior art in the field of splints require the movement of I bolts or other positioning mechanisms into particular locations, which under'emergency conditions may be time consuming and not usable except by personnel specifically trained in those mechanisms. Where purely linear slots are used, arotation of the overlapping members when a pair of bolts are inserted the point of intersection of two pairs of slots would tend to produce jamming.

The inventor has not found prior splint assemblies that provide curvilinear identical slots in overlapping planarmembers as herein detailed. The positioning of the members through a pair of bolts passing through the slots provide an easily adjustable and simply operated splint assembly not shown in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the instant invention to provide a splint assembly which may be used for emergency setting of fractures.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a splint assembly which may adequately be used by personnel not specifically trained in the field of fracture setting.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a splint assembly which includes a multiplicity of angular orientation settings as well as a plurality of elongation positions.

It is a still further object of this invention to present a splint assembly which is easily maneuverable and simply fastened.

Another object of this invention is to provide a splint assembly which may be provided in kit form to easily accommodate a wide variety of size settings.

A splint assembly which includes a first planar member having a first arcuate slot of predetermined width passing therethrough. A second planar member includes a second arcuate slot which passes therethrough. The second arcuate slot has a width substantially equal in dimension to the first arcuate slot within the first planar member. Positioning and fastening means pass through the first and second planar member communicating slots for locating the members in partially contiguous and overlapping contact.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 1. Brief Description of the Drawing FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the splint assembly. showing the first andsecond planar members angularly oriented with respect to each other;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the splint assembly showing the basic component elements including the positioning mechanism and first and second planar members;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view partially in section of an embodiment to the invention showing a ball nut in combination with a carriage bolt to form the positioning mechanism; and, I

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an embodiment to the invention showing the splint assembly in kit form having three dimensionally different planar members.

FIG. Sis a fragmentedprospective view of a splint showing one embodiment of the strap and the'means to attach it to the splint.

2. Description of the Apparatus Referring now to FIGS. land 2 there is shown splint assembly 10 for emergency treatment where a patient may have suffered a fracture and it is necessary to restrain any movement of the fracture area. Splint 10 comprises first planar or bar member 12 and second planaror bar member 14 to be placed in overlapping and partially contiguous relationship when in use, as will be detailed in the following paragraphs. Releasable securement of members Hand .14 is provided by positioning and fastening mechanism 20 which allows angular orientation as well as linear displacement of members l2 and 14 with respect to each other. In general operation, splint 10 may be used to immobilize fractured limbs by personnel not trained in the an by sim ple manipulation of members 12 and l4..Assembly 10 has been found to reduce jamming of membersl2 and 14 when such are being moved in relation to each other, thereby minimizing the critical emergency set ting time.

First planar member 12, as shown, is essentially an elongated bar in longitudinal direction 16 and has a contour boundary in transverse direction 18 so as to give a generally rectangular outline in a horizontal plane. Bar member 12 includes first arcuate or curvilinear slot 22 which provides a vertical through opening. Slot 22 passes in a substantially longitudinal direction 16 to provide a path transfer for positioning and fasten ing mechanism 20; The location of arcuate slot 22 with respect to the longitudinal dimension of member 12 is positioned substantially near end surface 24. The width of slot 22 is predetermined to a specific dimension to permit operation of positioning and fastening mechanism 20. In general, the curvilinear contour of arcuate slot 22 is a segment of a circle having a known radius of curvature.

Second planar member 14 is geometrically similar to first member 12 having substantially the same width in transverse direction 18 but being slightly smaller in longitudinal direction 16. Second arcuate slot 26 is identical to first slot 22 and passes in substantially longitudinal direction 16 in the manner of slot 22 on bar member 12. Arcuate slot 26 provides a vertically directed through opening within bar-member 14 and is longitudenally positioned near end surface 28 of member 14. The positioning of slots 22 and 26 within respective members 12 and 14 provide a maximum amount of elongations and angular orientations with a minimum amount of extensions of one bar with respect to the other.

In general, planar members 12 and 14 may be con structed of a thin plywood base, aluminum or some like material. The only restrictions on material in construction is that the members 12, 14 be able to withstand the structural loadings imposed and that the material be impervious to the operating environment with respect to dimensional change i.e. warping. Once the basic restrictions are adhered to, changes in material construction may be made and are not part of the inventive concept as is herein detailed.

Positioning and fastening mechanism 20 comprises a means for properly locating members 12 and 14 with respect to each other and securing same in a relatively rigid assembly 10. Mechanism 20 includes a pair of carriage bolts 30, associated washers 32 and locking or square nuts 34. Carriage bolts 30 include hemispherical heads 36 of diameter greater than the widths of arcuate slots 22, 26. Each of bolts 30 provide square neck 38 having a peripheral length on all sides substantiallly equal to the width of slots 22 and 26. Each of bolts 30 have formed thereon lower threaded portion 40 which threadedly engages respective square nuts 34 and passes through opening 42 of washer 32 having a diameter greater than the slot widths.

I'n construction, planar members 12 and 14 are positioned partially contiguous to, and overlapping each other. Carriage bolts 30 pass through communicating slots 22 26 and are loosely connected to members 12, 14 by threadedly engaged nuts 34. In this assemblage, hemispherical heads 36 engage an upper surface of member 14 and the combination washer 32 and nut 34 engage a lower surface of planar member 12. Square necks 38 of bolt members 30 are vertically inserted into slot 26 and permit sliding between members 12 and 14 but resist rotation of carriage bolts 30 due to the aforementioned neck peripheral dimensions. Bar members l2, 14 may be angularly oriented with respect to each other as slideably elongated with carriage bolts 30 so attached. When the proper positional relationship is reached, square nuts 34 may be tightened thereby rigidizing assembly in a particular manner conforming to the fracture site configuration.

Opposing transverse recesses 44 are formed within bar members 12 and 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for positioning constraints of bandages or straps which may be wrapped around assembly 10 and the fractured limbs. The straps or bandages hereinbefore related to ensure the securement of the fractured limb to assembly 10. As shown, recesses 44 are formed within opposing longitudinal ends of members 12 and 14 but such is not restrictive of the recess placement. Dimensional contouring is not important to the inventive concept, however, such must be sufficient to provide a constrainment to any longitudinal movement of the strap or bandage.

In FIG. 5, one comer of the bar member 12 is shown, provided with a slightly different means for accommodating the strap or bandage 54. Instead of a recess 44 as shown in FIG. 1 and 2, a strap slot 53 is provided as shown. The strap 54 passes through the strap slot 53 and is thus generally retained in connection with the bar member at hence the splint assembly 10. Prefera bly, the strap 54 is free to move through the strap slot 53 to permit suitable adjustments in tying the splint to the patient. This type of strap attaching means is considered preferable. Only a fragment of the strap is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, bar member 12 is slightly more elongated than member 14. In this illustration, member 14 may be used as an upper arm piece and bar 12 as a lower arm piece. The transverse dimensions of each member is substantially equal to 3.25 inches and have respective longitudinal dimensions approximating l2 and 14 inches. Slots 22 and 26 are substantially circular segments having a chord length approximating 7 inches and a 0.25 inch slot width. Carriage bolts 30 are of the one-fourth standard type forinsertion into slots 22 and 26 as described in detail in preceding paragraphs. Overall thickness of members 12 and 14 are substantially equal and approximate one-eighth to five thirty-seconds inch in vertical length.

In an embodiment to the invention, positioning mechanism 20 may be altered to include a pair of carriage bolts 30 passing through members 12 and 14 with securement provided by a pair of internally threaded ball nuts. As shown in FIG. 3, threaded portion 40 of bolts 30 threadedly engage ball nuts 46 to secure planar members 12 and 14 in partially contiguous, overlapping contact. Ball nuts 46 include an outside radius substantially greater than the slot widths in order that they should not be able to pass through the openings provided. Uses of spheroidal nuts 46 alleviate any problem that may occur due to a patients clothing or skin being torn by the sharp edges of square nuts 34 as previously described.

A still further embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 wherein splint assembly 10 is presented in kit form for use in a wide variety of applications and over a large number of sizes. As shown, the overall kit presentation may include three basic planar member sizes such as child arm member 48, adult arm member 50, and adult leg member 52. This combination, only presented for illustration, may be used in a number of combinations wherein it is remembered that adult ann member 50 may also be used for a child's leg setting.

In the scope of the work undertaken in the field of surgical splint assemblies, the invention as has been detailed herein, provides a low cost, easily adjustable and highly efficient means for emergency treatment of setting fractures. A number of modifications and variations of the present invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and skil thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A splint assembly for emergency treatment of body fractures comprising:

b. positioning and fastening means mounted to said planar members through said arcuate slots, for selectively and releasably locating and rigidizing said pair of planar members with respect to each other in accordance with a predetermined positional relationship between the said planar members, said positioning and fastening means comprising:

1. a pair of carriage bolts, each of said carriage bolts being partially threaded and having a square neck with side dimensions substantially equal to said arcuate slot widths to prevent said bolts from rotating with respect to the edges of said slots, each of said bolts being free to move along the length of said slots when in the nontightened state; and,

2. tightening means engaged with said threaded portions for securing said carriage bolts to said planar members with clamping action.

i and through said recesses within said 2. The splint assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said tightening means includes:

a. a pair of square nuts threadedly engageable with said carriage bolts; and,

b. a pair of washers around on said threaded portion of said carriage bolts, said washers having a periph eral outer dimension substantially greater than said widths of said arcuate slots, each of said washers contacting one of said planar members and one of said square nuts on opposing sides thereof.

3. The splint assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said tightening means includes a pair of ball nuts, said ball nuts being threadedly engageable with said carriage bolts, said ball nuts further having radius substantially larger than said arcuate slot widths.

4. The splint assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second planar members are constructed of plywood material.

5. The splint assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second planar members are constructed of aluminum.

6. The splint assembly as recited in claim I wherein said pair of planar members include a plurality of transversely opposed and longitudinally directed recesses, said recesses for providing insert guides wherein said planar members may be secured to said body through a plurality of strap members passing around said body planar members. =I= 

1. A splint assembly for emergency treatment of body fractures comprising: a. a pair of rigid, thin, generally rectangular planar members, each having a single arcuate slot, each slot being a segment of a circle of the same radius of curvature and each slot having substantially equal peripheral contour dimensions, and each slot having a substantially equal width dimension, said planar members positioned with respect to each other in at least partially contiguous and overlapping contact, said members being so mutually oriented that said slots in each said member may coincide; and, b. positioning and fastening means mounted to said planar members through said arcuate slots, for selectively and releasably locating and rigidizing said pair of planar members with respect to each other in accordance with a predetermined positional relationship between the said planar members, said positioning and fastening means comprising:
 1. a pair of carriage bolts, each of said carriage bolts being partially threaded and having a square neck with side dimensions substantially equal to said arcuate slot widths to prevent said bolts from rotating with respect to the edges of said slots, each of said bolts being free to move along the length of said slots when in the non-tightened state; and,
 2. tightening means engaged with said threaded portions for securing said carriage bolts to said planar members with clamping action.
 2. tightening means engaged with said threaded portions for securing said carriage bolts to said planar members with clamping action.
 2. The splint assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said tightening means includes: a. a pair of square nuts threadedly engageable with said carriage bolts; and, b. a pair oF washers around on said threaded portion of said carriage bolts, said washers having a peripheral outer dimension substantially greater than said widths of said arcuate slots, each of said washers contacting one of said planar members and one of said square nuts on opposing sides thereof.
 3. The splint assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said tightening means includes a pair of ball nuts, said ball nuts being threadedly engageable with said carriage bolts, said ball nuts further having radius substantially larger than said arcuate slot widths.
 4. The splint assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second planar members are constructed of plywood material.
 5. The splint assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second planar members are constructed of aluminum.
 6. The splint assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said pair of planar members include a plurality of transversely opposed and longitudinally directed recesses, said recesses for providing insert guides wherein said planar members may be secured to said body through a plurality of strap members passing around said body and through said recesses within said planar members. 